collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: School me on Kokes  (Read 19947 times)

Offline Alchase

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Legend
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 20343
  • Location: Tinker AFB, OK
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #15 on: March 05, 2025, 07:12:16 AM »
I troll for Kokes from 0.5 - 1 mph, the slower the better. I have never used a down rigger others can tell you more about them.
I use 1 oz banana sinkers, Kokopros Kokanee Flasher, Snubber, 36" leader with swivels on both ends for quick change, to Double Whammy with double red Gamakatsu hooks. Top hook gets White Shoe-peg corn. Trail hook get "red" Power Bait Maggots. I tried white maggots, but the red maggots out fished the white by alot, but that could be local to the West side. Also use wedding rings but change the hooks to a double Gamakatsu hook setup.
I use to record what I was using, conditions, and fish count, etc... and the trail hook caught the fast majority of the fish.
If you are not getting bites, as mentioned earlier, a "S" pattern or figure "8" can entice a bite.  You can also shift into neutral momentarily. This lets your rig slow and sink a bit, then shift back into forward will speed it back up. 
I always keep one rod rigged with a short Willow blade flasher string instead of the Kokanee Flashers. But the Kokannee Flasher setup, is my go to.
I also keep a bunch of leaders pre-setup with varying colors wrapped around a 6" foam pipe wrap (Pool Noodles are the same thing but much cheaper) for a quick change. Sometimes a color change can make the difference in a bite.
Kokanee have extremely soft mouths. A Snubber will improve your catch rate significantly. Also when reeling in, Kokanee tend to spin when the get to the surface. This can pull the hook out if not careful. Putting your pole tip in the water a few inches can keep them from surface spinning until you can get them in the net.

Good luck, and welcome to the addiction, Kokanee fishing is the crack of fishing!
 :hello:

Only 2 defining forces sacrificed themselves for you:
The American Soldier and Jesus Christ. One died for your freedom, the other for your soul.

My rock,
He trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.
Psalm 144.1

Offline Bullkllr

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2007
  • Posts: 4922
  • Location: Graham
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #16 on: March 05, 2025, 08:01:02 AM »

Anybody try the Macks Lure Flash Lite Trolling flashers?
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/macks-lure-flash-lite-troll-2-blade

I like that they kinda collapse when reeling them in - feels like one would be less likely to lose fish or detect a bite.

I've had good success with those for rainbows. Usually with a worm or worm/spinner. They do reduce the drag quite a bit compared to many attractors. Never really tried them for kokes though.
A Man's Gotta Eat

Offline baldopepper

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2010
  • Posts: 2604
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #17 on: March 05, 2025, 08:16:12 AM »

Anybody try the Macks Lure Flash Lite Trolling flashers?
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/macks-lure-flash-lite-troll-2-blade

I like that they kinda collapse when reeling them in - feels like one would be less likely to lose fish or detect a bite.

I've had good success with those for rainbows. Usually with a worm or worm/spinner. They do reduce the drag quite a bit compared to many attractors. Never really tried them for kokes though.
Also good success with them on rainbows but not so much on Kokes.  Some success with the two blades but not the four blades. Really like em both for trout, baited wedding ring about 3' behind is a killer for us on Lake Roosevelt.

Offline Mtnwalker

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
  • Posts: 2277
  • Location: Selah
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #18 on: March 05, 2025, 08:29:11 AM »
Surprised nobody has mentioned the Brads kokanee cut plugs. One of our better big fish producers, though we don't seem to get the numbers of smaller fish on em but I'm fine with that.

Offline Rob

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 4848
  • Location: Sandpoint ID
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #19 on: March 05, 2025, 08:47:27 AM »
I troll for Kokes from 0.5 - 1 mph, the slower the better. I have never used a down rigger others can tell you more about them.
I use 1 oz banana sinkers, Kokopros Kokanee Flasher, Snubber, 36" leader with swivels on both ends for quick change, to Double Whammy with double red Gamakatsu hooks. Top hook gets White Shoe-peg corn. Trail hook get "red" Power Bait Maggots. I tried white maggots, but the red maggots out fished the white by alot, but that could be local to the West side. Also use wedding rings but change the hooks to a double Gamakatsu hook setup.
I use to record what I was using, conditions, and fish count, etc... and the trail hook caught the fast majority of the fish.
If you are not getting bites, as mentioned earlier, a "S" pattern or figure "8" can entice a bite.  You can also shift into neutral momentarily. This lets your rig slow and sink a bit, then shift back into forward will speed it back up. 
I always keep one rod rigged with a short Willow blade flasher string instead of the Kokanee Flashers. But the Kokannee Flasher setup, is my go to.
I also keep a bunch of leaders pre-setup with varying colors wrapped around a 6" foam pipe wrap (Pool Noodles are the same thing but much cheaper) for a quick change. Sometimes a color change can make the difference in a bite.
Kokanee have extremely soft mouths. A Snubber will improve your catch rate significantly. Also when reeling in, Kokanee tend to spin when the get to the surface. This can pull the hook out if not careful. Putting your pole tip in the water a few inches can keep them from surface spinning until you can get them in the net.

Good luck, and welcome to the addiction, Kokanee fishing is the crack of fishing!
 :hello:

Great info - I have logged this in my notes!
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

Offline Rob

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 4848
  • Location: Sandpoint ID
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #20 on: March 05, 2025, 08:49:15 AM »
Thanks for the info on the Macks Lure Flash Lite Trolling flashers.  I have enough Rainbows in my local lake (Cocolalla) and I will definitely give them a go.  I have drown more than one Rainbow on the big cowbells.
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

Offline Rob

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 4848
  • Location: Sandpoint ID
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #21 on: March 05, 2025, 08:50:47 AM »
Surprised nobody has mentioned the Brads kokanee cut plugs. One of our better big fish producers, though we don't seem to get the numbers of smaller fish on em but I'm fine with that.

I will keep an eye open.  Any colors you gravitate towards?
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

Offline Rob

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 4848
  • Location: Sandpoint ID
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #22 on: March 05, 2025, 08:53:10 AM »
Looking thru my tackle, I actually have one of those Brads cut plugs that I picked up over the winter.  Hot Red with gold flakes.
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

Offline Mtnwalker

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
  • Posts: 2277
  • Location: Selah
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #23 on: March 05, 2025, 09:00:51 AM »
Surprised nobody has mentioned the Brads kokanee cut plugs. One of our better big fish producers, though we don't seem to get the numbers of smaller fish on em but I'm fine with that.

I will keep an eye open.  Any colors you gravitate towards?

We always did well on pink in the morning and purple as the sun got brighter overhead

Offline nwwanderer

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4705
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #24 on: March 05, 2025, 09:28:07 AM »
Ask Skillet for more tips

Offline Caseyd

  • Site Sponsor
  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2007
  • Posts: 3015
  • Location: Washington
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #25 on: March 05, 2025, 11:04:08 AM »
Pro troll Kokanee killer

Offline Machias

  • Trapper
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 18937
  • Location: Worley, ID
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #26 on: March 05, 2025, 11:54:49 AM »
Youtube there is a guy, "Walking on Water" videos.  He does a lot of Kokanee fishing videos in North Idaho.
Fred Moyer

When it's Grim, be the GRIM REAPER!

Offline Rob

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 4848
  • Location: Sandpoint ID
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #27 on: March 05, 2025, 12:26:30 PM »
Pro troll Kokanee killer

I like the look of those!
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

Offline Rob

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 4848
  • Location: Sandpoint ID
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #28 on: March 05, 2025, 12:26:56 PM »
Youtube there is a guy, "Walking on Water" videos.  He does a lot of Kokanee fishing videos in North Idaho.

Will do
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

Offline Rob

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 4848
  • Location: Sandpoint ID
Re: School me on Kokes
« Reply #29 on: March 05, 2025, 12:27:19 PM »
What time of year do folks start fishing for them?
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Evergreen youth livestock show and sale by jackelope
[Today at 09:36:13 AM]


Sportsman Alliance files petition to Gov Ferguson for removal of corrupt WA Wildlife Commissioners by hunter399
[Today at 09:35:53 AM]


2025 Quality Chewuch Tag by elkaholic123
[Today at 08:39:45 AM]


Rotator Cuff repair X 2 advice needed by Wood2Sawdust
[Today at 07:49:52 AM]


Upland Side by Side by OutHouse
[Today at 07:37:28 AM]


Tooth age on Quinault bull by nwwanderer
[Today at 06:54:44 AM]


Public Land Sale Senate Budget Reconciliation by JDArms1240
[Yesterday at 08:45:13 PM]


North Peninsula Salmon Fishing by metlhead
[Yesterday at 07:43:57 PM]


3 days for Kings by Stein
[Yesterday at 06:45:11 PM]


Kinda fun LH rimfire rifle project by JDHasty
[Yesterday at 06:44:33 PM]


Can’t fish for pinks area 8-2? by WAcoueshunter
[Yesterday at 05:22:46 PM]


GMU 247 Entiat bear hunting by GeoSwan
[Yesterday at 03:02:21 PM]


2025 NWTF Jakes Day by wadu1
[Yesterday at 02:19:48 PM]


Dandy Bull by Buckhunter24
[Yesterday at 01:29:37 PM]


Tricer AD tripod by gee_unit360
[Yesterday at 12:40:45 PM]


How a Product That Changed Hunting FOREVER was invented in the 1980's by jrebel
[Yesterday at 11:28:44 AM]


Ten Years, and still plugging along by JWBINX
[Yesterday at 10:22:55 AM]


Sauk Unit Youth Elk Tips by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 10:04:16 AM]


3BR Condo in Tacoma with views of the Narrows and Olympic Mountains by Gentrys
[Yesterday at 09:44:45 AM]


Nooksack Archery Tag by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 09:37:52 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal